Ludden: Future hangs in balance for Spurs' Nesterovic

Future hangs in balance for Spurs' Nesterovic
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

A little more than two years after signing Rasho Nesterovic to replace David Robinson in their starting lineup, the Spurs have reached a few conclusions about the Slovenian center: He's a better position defender than expected, his defensive rebounding could improve and he's still too unselfish.

All of which are reasons the team has explored trading him.

And also why the Spurs won't be too disappointed if they don't.

Nesterovic said he isn't worried about his future with the team. His goal, for now, is to play well enough to earn back some of the minutes he lost toward the end of last season.

"I'm going to be OK with whatever role I get," he said, "but I'm going to work to get my way back to the starting five."

Considering that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has said he expects to begin this season with the same starters he used at the end of last season, Nesterovic has a lot of work in front of him.

Nazr Mohammed inherited the starting job after Nesterovic missed the final six games of the regular season because of a sprained left ankle. Although Nesterovic returned for the playoffs, he played sparingly and was used as a reserve for the first time in more than four years.

"You want to play so bad because it's the best time of the year to be playing," he said. "Fortunately, other guys did a really good job. I was OK with that.

"It wasn't a pleasant experience with the injury, but I took good points out of it. I hope it makes you a better player."

Nesterovic also seems to have benefited from the work he received while helping Slovenia qualify for the World Championships last month. After fouling out in 14 minutes against Miami on Monday, he totaled eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two assists against Philadelphia.

"I think he still gave away some shots he had, but at least he looked for some shots," Popovich said. "When he's aggressive offensively, he's a much better player."

While Mohammed lacks Nesterovic's touch, as well as his length on defense, he finishes better at the rim. To be more specific, he dunks — a skill that comes in handy given that many of the scoring opportunities for the team's centers come from offensive rebounds.

The Spurs aren't as concerned by the type of shots Nesterovic takes as they are by the number he attempts. During his final season in Minnesota, he averaged a career-best 11.2 points. He averaged a little more than half that last season.

"I'm not going to force shots," Nesterovic said. "When I'm open, I'm going to take the shots. If not, I'm going to pass it. I think that's what made us champions last year — we were sharing the ball."

The Spurs talked with a handful of teams over the summer about trading Nesterovic but didn't receive much interest. Among the concerns: If this is what Nesterovic contributes playing next to Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, how much better can he get?

In truth, however, Nesterovic has played his best with Duncan off the floor. Two seasons ago, he averaged 16.3 points and 12.5 rebounds during a six-game stretch when Duncan was out with a knee injury. The Spurs have considered showing him video of those games to help discern the difference in his aggressiveness.

For now, the Spurs insist they aren't actively shopping Nesterovic. Not only do team officials first want to see how Fabricio Oberto fits, they also know there will be games such as tonight's exhibition against Houston when it helps to have a 7-footer who can guard Yao Ming.

Yet, while the four years and $30million Nesterovic has left on his contract isn't unusual for a serviceable starting center — New York recently gave enigmatic 7-footer Jerome James a five-year contract worth $30million — few teams want to pay the 11th man on their roster an average of $7.5million a season.

The Spurs also are about $600,000 above the luxury tax threshold. Though chairman Peter Holt appears willing to digest the estimated $2million of kickback money the franchise will lose if it incurs the tax, the team likely will try to get below the threshold by the June30, 2006, deadline.

"They talk trades all the time in the NBA," Nesterovic said. "Until it happens, I'm not going to think about it. This is a championship team, and I'd rather be here than go to a team that's barely going to make the playoffs."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....22568196.html

Damn cheap ass Holt. :lol

The truth is that nobody wants Rasho. If we could have gotten a bag of pretzels and a Coke Zero for him, Pop would have pulled the trigger.

Interesting read.

A couple things stand out to me. First of all, I guess Pop is pretty much admitting he was blowing smoke last year when he was defending Rasho early in the season. He even said at one point that he'd take Rasho over any center not named Shaquille O'Neal. Obviously, that was a bit of an overstatement.

I like Rasho's attitude going into the season. He's not sulking, he's just going to go out there and try to help the team. That's exactly what he should be doing and it's all Spurs fans could want. Rasho could make things hell for the rest of the team by demanding a trade or diving the locker room, but instead he's just going to go out there and play the minutes he is given. Props to him.

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The Spurs also are about $600,000 above the luxury tax threshold. Though chairman Peter Holt appears willing to digest the estimated $2million of kickback money the franchise will lose if it incurs the tax, the team likely will try to get below the threshold by the June30, 2006, deadline.

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Translation: Somebody will be traded. They'll attempt to move Rasho, Barry and then Udrih in that order. If it comes down to it, the Spurs will ship off Udrih for a future first round pick to save Holt some $$$$.

It's time for the current ownership group to exit.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

It's time for the current ownership group to exit.

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:blah

Marcus Bryant, you are a fucking idiot. You should be kissing their ass for what they have given the city of San Antonio and ingrateful fans like yourself. Questioning and criticizing the FO is one thing, but your constant bitching is tired and terribly unwarranted.

In addition, this is precisely why Spurs fans should expect this to be Mohammed's last season with the club. Not much is going to change in the payroll (as is) until 2008. NVE is the only other rotation player whose contract will end before then.

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http://www.nationwide.net/~patricia/contracts

San Antonio Spurs Date # of total
Player signed years salary misc FA
Tony Massenburg ....... 8/4/04 1 minimum '05
Glenn Robinson ........ 4/4/05 1 minimum '05
Kyle Bailey ........... 9/29/05 1 minimum '06
Michael Finley ........ 9/2/05 1 $2.675 million '06
Sharrod Ford .......... 9/29/05 1 minimum '06
Stephen Graham ........ 9/29/05 1 minimum '06
Nazr Mohammed ......... 7/19/01 5 $25 million '06
Melvin Sanders ........ 9/29/05 1 minimum '06
Nick Van Exel ......... 8/29/05 1 ??? '06
Jawad Williams ........ 9/29/05 1 minimum '06
Brent Barry ........... 7/15/04 4 $19.6 million '08
Bruce Bowen ........... 7/14/04 4 $14.25 million '08
Tim Duncan ............ 7/16/03 7 $122,007,704 p-opt '08
Robert Horry .......... 8/2/05 3 ??? '08
Radoslav Nesterovic ... 7/16/03 6 $42 million p-opt '08
Fabricio Oberto ....... 8/2/05 3 $7.5 million '08
Beno Udrih ............ 7/14/04 4 $4,461,496 rc t-opt '08
Emanuel Ginobili ...... 7/15/04 6 $52 million '10
Tony Parker ........... 9/21/01,11/1/04 4+6 $3,946,521 + $66mill '11
Sean Marks ............ 9/6/05 ?? ??? '??

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Sure, if they are able to shed some guaranteed contracts before then or net a decrease in their guaranteed payroll then the situation could change.

But Spurs fans should understand what is going on.

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Originally Posted by Dingle Barry

Marcus Bryant, you are a fucking idiot. You should be kissing their ass for what they have given the city of San Antonio and ingrateful fans like yourself. Questioning and criticizing the FO is one thing, but your constant bitching is tired and terribly unwarranted.

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Suck a dick. I'll criticize the ownership as I see fit.

Do you not realize what the county has given the franchise? Essentially all of the arena revenues without having to pay for it.

I kiss nobody's ass. If you do, well, that says enough about you.

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Originally Posted by zeleni

:blah

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That sums up what you have brought to this forum. At least, that is what I recall.

"It takes a great man to be a good listener." Calvin Coolidge

;)

Rasho plays better when he is needed. Otherwise he defaults to others. His lack of aggressiveness and inability to go strong to the basket and dunk when he's within 6 feet of the rim has been his problem.

"Until it happens, I'm not going to think about it. This is a championship team, and I'd rather be here than go to a team that's barely going to make the playoffs."

No, dammit, THINK ABOUT IT!

Play like you want to stay with the Spurs, make the Spurs want to keep you around. You will regret bitterly blowing your golden opportunity to play your prime years with Tim Duncan in his prime years in an organization as excellent and successful as the Spurs.

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Originally Posted by timvp

"I'm going to be OK with whatever role I get," he said, "but I'm going to work to get my way back to the starting five."

"You want to play so bad because it's the best time of the year to be playing," he said.

The Spurs aren't as concerned by the type of shots Nesterovic takes as they are by the number he attempts. During his final season in Minnesota, he averaged a career-best 11.2 points. He averaged a little more than half that last season.

In truth, however, Nesterovic has played his best with Duncan off the floor. Two seasons ago, he averaged 16.3 points and 12.5 rebounds during a six-game stretch when Duncan was out with a knee injury. The Spurs have considered showing him video of those games to help discern the difference in his aggressiveness.

For now, the Spurs insist they aren't actively shopping Nesterovic. Not only do team officials first want to see how Fabricio Oberto fits, they also know there will be games such as tonight's exhibition against Houston when it helps to have a 7-footer who can guard Yao Ming.

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First, I highlighted those comments for people who say he doesn't care. Just because he doesn't show it in a way you think he should, Rasho hates to sit on the bench.

Second, if the Spurs REALLY want Rasho to shoot the ball more, they need to talk to Tony Parker. Rasho is getting more shots in the pre-season when he is on the floor with NVE and Beno.

Third, will people finally believe the Spurs are not now shopping Rasho around even though Ludden already claimed it twice before this week and now has apparently changed his story. Will they also believe that the Spurs only talked to a few teams about Rasho this summer- some they called and some who DID call the Spurs, but that there was not some all out attempt to shop him around the whole league.

Finally, the problem some with the Spurs have with Rasho is that he blows the hell out of the whole notion that Tim makes other players better.

Basically, Rasho is a much better basketball player than a lot of people realize. He has skills that he could contribute to a team, but with the Spurs, he has bent over backwards and twisted himself inside and out trying to fill the role he thinks they want from him. He would be better off if he just went out and played and made his presence known in the game, but I am awaiting the day he figures a way to do that with the Spurs. It took a couple of years for him to accomplish that with Minnesota and part of that impetus came after a summer spent with his national team, so I am hoping the third year and a summer with his national team are the charm again.

Kevin McHale said: "Rasho's biggest problem is he wants to please so badly that he's afraid to make mistakes. He is such a good guy that all he can think about is, 'How can I help this team? I tell Rasho, 'I hope my daughter marries someone like you, but you've got to get meaner out there.' I just went out and played and I didn't care what anybody thought. Wally [Szczerbiak] has got some of that and Kevin [Garnett] has got some of that. It's great. But you know what? It doesn't make us very good people, sometimes."

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Originally Posted by timvp

I like Rasho's attitude going into the season. He's not sulking, he's just going to go out there and try to help the team. That's exactly what he should be doing and it's all Spurs fans could want. Rasho could make things hell for the rest of the team by demanding a trade or diving the locker room, but instead he's just going to go out there and play the minutes he is given. Props to him.

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Rasho would never do any of those things you are describing- he would not demand a trade and would not divide the locker room- although that might be an easier thing to do than some Spurs fans would want to admit.

I am interested in what the Spurs were asking for Dogsho---and more importantly what might have been offered...if anything. I wonder if we could even dump him to another team for one second round pick.

But strange things do happen. Wouldn't we have the last laugh if all Rasho did this year was to help neutralize Yao during the season and play some hard minutes against Shaq in the finals---which we would win of course?

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Originally Posted by ploto

First, I highlighted those comments for people who say he doesn't care. Just because he doesn't show it in a way you think he should, Rasho hates to sit on the bench.

Second, if the Spurs REALLY want Rasho to shoot the ball more, they need to talk to Tony Parker. Rasho is getting more shots in the pre-season when he is on the floor with NVE and Beno.

Third, will people finally believe the Spurs are not now shopping Rasho around even though Ludden already claimed it twice before this week and now has apparently changed his story. Will they also believe that the Spurs only talked to a few teams about Rasho this summer- some they called and some who DID call the Spurs, but that there was not some all out attempt to shop him around the whole league.

Finally, the problem some with the Spurs have with Rasho is that he blows the hell out of the whole notion that Tim makes other players better.

Basically, Rasho is a much better basketball player than a lot of people realize. He has skills that he could contribute to a team, but with the Spurs, he has bent over backwards and twisted himself inside and out trying to fill the role he thinks they want from him. He would be better off if he just went out and played and made his presence known in the game, but I am awaiting the day he figures a way to do that with the Spurs. It took a couple of years for him to accomplish that with Minnesota and part of that impetus came after a summer spent with his national team, so I am hoping the third year and a summer with his national team are the charm again.

Kevin McHale said: "Rasho's biggest problem is he wants to please so badly that he's afraid to make mistakes. He is such a good guy that all he can think about is, 'How can I help this team? I tell Rasho, 'I hope my daughter marries someone like you, but you've got to get meaner out there.' I just went out and played and I didn't care what anybody thought. Wally [Szczerbiak] has got some of that and Kevin [Garnett] has got some of that. It's great. But you know what? It doesn't make us very good people, sometimes."

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Totally agree. I also believe Rasho can be very good.

yes lets blame tp for rasho lack of agressiveness

tp usually gets 2 assist from rasho a game

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Originally Posted by boutons

"Until it happens, I'm not going to think about it. This is a championship team, and I'd rather be here than go to a team that's barely going to make the playoffs."

No, dammit, THINK ABOUT IT!

Play like you want to stay with the Spurs, make the Spurs want to keep you around. You will regret bitterly blowing your golden opportunity to play your prime years with Tim Duncan in his prime years in an organization as excellent and successful as the Spurs.

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I agree with this. While it's nice that Rasho's not bitching, it would be even better if he recognized what he needs to improve upon and start doing it.

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Originally Posted by ploto

Kevin McHale said: "Rasho's biggest problem is he wants to please so badly that he's afraid to make mistakes. He is such a good guy that all he can think about is, 'How can I help this team? I tell Rasho, 'I hope my daughter marries someone like you, but you've got to get meaner out there.' "

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I would pay to see the angel_luv vs. McHale's Daughter steel cage match.

The point about Rasho not playing as well when he's out there with Tim has more to do with offense, not defense. Tim is best in, or near the low post. Tim allows other players to have better scoring opportunities through the attention that he receives and the spacing he creates. That's why the other Big needs to play high post or out on the floor when Timmy is set up low. That's also why it helps to have the other Big either be able to knock down a 15 foot jumper (or farther out), or produce in another way like by being an effective offensive rebounder. The offensive rebounding is what gives Nazr productivity. Rasho and Horry are better at tip-outs to save trips, but Nazr (Malik used to also) gets in there and grabs them and goes back up with authority.

Otherwise, Rasho is going to be unproductive stat-wise and only able to create opportunities for others through screens and passing. If he doesn't shoot when he's open and if he doesn't score when he does shoot, his movement won't help the team and players will sag or double off him to someone like Tim.

Horry does well with Tim because he plays hi-lo well and he can score from the outside. Malik did too. Neither of them hesitate and they do it with confidence.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

The point about Rasho not playing as well when he's out there with Tim has more to do with offense, not defense. . . . That's also why it helps to have the other Big either be able to knock down a 15 foot jumper (or farther out), or produce in another way like by being an effective offensive rebounder.

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I don't buy it, for the reason that you yourself state: in Rasho's best offensive year with Minny, his bread-and-butter was the 15-ft jumper. He gets that shot with the Spurs, regardless of whether Tim is in. But he's just stopped being able to hit it with any consistency, and now he's stopped taking it when it's there. When was the last game you can recall him hitting more than 1-2 jump shots?

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When was the last game you can recall him hitting more than 1-2 jump shots?

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When was the last game you can recall his shooting more than 1-2 jump shots?

I don't have any stats on his outside shooting, but it probably is down from years past. But what are you going to do? That's the Spurs offense and whoever is there is supposed to take the shot when he's got it.

Rasho has skills that Nazr lacks--better defender, low TO's, good blocker
Nazr has skills that Rasho lacks--offensive rebounding, aggressiveness, willingness to dunk the ball.

Personally, I can't wait to see what Oberto has to offer.

I wasn't very clear, perhaps. If Rasho hits his outside shots, the Spurs don't have a problem. When Tim is in there, Rasho won't get many inside points unless he rebounds and decides nobody is going to block his shot.

I agree about your comments on the offense. The reason people wonder why Rasho plays differently offensively when Tim is out is because Rasho then has room to work inside that is usually taken up by Duncan, a couple of guys defending him, and Rasho if he goes anywhere inside, as well. In Minnesota, KG liked to stay out of the paint giving Rasho more room to work inside.

As for shot attempts, all TP has to do is run a little screen and role with Rasho rolling to the baseline for that open baseline jumper which is Rasho's best shot- and which he will always take. They almost never did it this past season. The Spurs also abandoned a lot of the motion offense of the previous season that played better into Rasho's skills. I just think it ironic that the Spurs line-up outscores their opponents by so much with Rasho in the lineup and yet people still moan about how many points he is actually scoring. He makes it easier for other guys to score, especially Manu. I will say this one thing, though, if what the Spurs want most from their center is garbage points then play Nazr. If they want a more all-around contribution, then play Rasho.

Rasho just plain sucks in almost every aspect of the NBA game.

Some of you need to pull the Black and Silver dildo out of your butts and wake up.

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Originally Posted by SequSpur

Rasho just plain sucks in almost every aspect of the NBA game.

Some of you need to pull the Black and Silver dildo out of your butts and wake up.

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i'm with you. for all the stuff about him being defensively good and what not, i never get the impression that he's doing all that much. and for all of nazr's faults, how do we, as fans, doubt the couch for putting in the faulty guy compared to the defensively sound guy? seems like whatever rasho offers, nazr does plus a bit more aggressiveness. ship him.

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A little more than two years after signing Rasho Nesterovic to replace David Robinson in their starting lineup, the Spurs have reached a few conclusions about the Slovenian center: He's a better position defender than expected, his defensive rebounding could improve and he's still too unselfish.

All of which are reasons the team has explored trading him.

And also why the Spurs won't be too disappointed if they don't.

Nesterovic said he isn't worried about his future with the team. His goal, for now, is to play well enough to earn back some of the minutes he lost toward the end of last season.

"I'm going to be OK with whatever role I get," he said, "but I'm going to work to get my way back to the starting five."


"You want to play so bad because it's the best time of the year to be playing," he said. "Fortunately, other guys did a really good job. I was OK with that.

"It wasn't a pleasant experience with the injury, but I took good points out of it. I hope it makes you a better player."

"I'm not going to force shots," Nesterovic said. "When I'm open, I'm going to take the shots. If not, I'm going to pass it. I think that's what made us champions last year — we were sharing the ball."

"They talk trades all the time in the NBA," Nesterovic said. "Until it happens, I'm not going to think about it. This is a championship team, and I'd rather be here than go to a team that's barely going to make the playoffs."

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I love my Rah! He's so wonderful.
And he is going to kick tail too! Just watch! :elephant

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Originally Posted by angel_luv

I love my Rah! He's so wonderful.
And he is going to kick tail too! Just watch! :elephant

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Kevin McHale said: "Rasho's biggest problem is he wants to please so badly that he's afraid to make mistakes. He is such a good guy that all he can think about is, 'How can I help this team? I tell Rasho, 'I hope my daughter marries someone like you...

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McHale and everyone else's daughter had better get in line... for somebody else! :angel


;)

It barely matters who is out on the floor with Duncan when Horry isn't.

Maybe that will change with Oberto, but keeping Horry healthy and fresh is more important than deciding who stands in for him right now.

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

I would pay to see the angel_luv vs. McHale's Daughter steel cage match.

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Hahaha! Great minds! I just saw this! :lol

Bring it! I can take em all! ;)

Ludden is giving the spurs at 600 000$ above the tax limit.
Is it the number now with the 13 under contracts or with 15 players?
if it is with 13 it will take more than beno to go under the line.
the players they will keep will tell us who will be traded. if ford stays it is a pretty good sign either rasho or nazr will go.
i think barry is more safe than the others.

Give Duncan the first 8 games or so off, let Rasho start and rack up some good numbers (like the 16 and 12 he averaged two years ago).

Then make a trade, bring Duncan back, life is good.

Ownership needs to go??

Yup, cause before this ownership, other ownership was so fantastic at spending money and winning rings.


Suck a dick Bryant.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

That sums up what you have brought to this forum. At least, that is what I recall.

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as opposed to the bitching and whining which is all Marcus have ever brought. face it MB all you are is fodder for others to mock

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Yet, while the four years and $30million Nesterovic has left on his contract isn't unusual for a serviceable starting center — New York recently gave enigmatic 7-footer Jerome James a five-year contract worth $30million — few teams want to pay the 11th man on their roster an average of $7.5million a season.

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Damn, Ludden went a long way into this article before using the league-mandated "serviceable" tag. I thought he was going to screw up and get fined. :lol

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Originally Posted by T Park

Ownership needs to go??

Yup, cause before this ownership, other ownership was so fantastic at spending money and winning rings.


Suck a dick Bryant.

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This ownership lucked out and got a Tim Duncan in the draft. Try again.

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Originally Posted by GoSpurs21

as opposed to the bitching and whining which is all Marcus have ever brought. face it MB all you are is fodder for others to mock

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Face it, you can't refute my argument so all you bring is noise. Get back in the stands, trick.

One month later and Rasho appears pretty entrenched as the starter, except on the night against Boston with Raef who shoots alot of 3's. Rasho's minutes are actually increasing and Nazr's decreasing in general the last couple of games. Pop has declared on more than one ocassion- although he keeps getting asked-- that Rasho earned the starting job. Even Johnny Ludden has been forced to admit that Rasho has been playng well. How many here predicted with a couple weeks back that Nazr would be starting or that Oberto would be taking over the starting job by Christmas. Neither are true. As for the Spurs, they have their starting center back and we have yet to see anyone beat out a healthy Rasho for that spot.

...and all the Slovenians (and Angel luv) are happy...

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Originally Posted by 10-tka

...and all the Slovenians (and Angel luv) are happy...

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:) Happy and proud (although not in the least bit surprised.) I told you Rasho is :king ! Fear the Sho! :)

Mannn Angel Is Up Late Tonight

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Originally Posted by 3rdCoast

Mannn Angel Is Up Late Tonight

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Too late. I just can't sleep.

The Church of Rasho would start a riot if Rasho was traded mid-season

Finally! People here on this board agrees with me about Peter being cheap, unlike other boards. *sigh*

Ive been saying since the end of last season and kept on saying it this season. Rasho will stay. Nazr will be traded cause of his contract and his inability to get his rotations right. Its evident that Pops is bringing Oberto nice and easy just as he brought Manu into the NBA game. Oberto is showing that he can play in this league but needs more time.

Soon, they will trade Nazr's ass and pass the minutes to Oberto.

In the playoffs, Rasho will start and Horry will finish. Its as simple as that.

Oberto gets garbage mins.

Spurs front office is happy as they get under the cap after trading Nazr.

Spurs are champions again barring injuries.

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Originally Posted by usckk

Finally! People here on this board agrees with me about Peter being cheap, unlike other boards. *sigh*

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the difference is your childish opinion doesnt mean jack, cause others agree with you. If you're so goddam good why dont you buy the team and do whatever you want, oh yea cause you're too cheap too. that and you dont have the money it would take.

next...

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Oberto is showing that he can play in this league

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When has he exactly shown this?

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I would pay to see the angel_luv vs. McHale's Daughter steel cage match.

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With RashoFan as the special guest referee! :)

"Undersized" Oberto is 70% from the Field

With only 7 of 10 shots, it's a little premature to say he's a 70% shooter.

Let's look again at 100 shots.

A low-block/hustle/putback scorer should about 50% anyway.

If we do trade Nazr, who are we getting back? What position?

Although the unwritten NBA GMs' rule says you never trade down--big for smaller--I think they might take a young athletic SF that would be a candidate to replace Bowen eventually. Some teams might think NASR was a better trade option than Rasho and give someone pretty good up. Atlanta comes to mind as a team with several SFs during the summer. I don't know their status now.

The Spurs players in the pipeline in Europe either don't fit the position or are too raw to bring over this year or next.

Atlanta has a pretty decent starting C in Pachulia. I would consider Toronto or Seattle the most desperate for a true center right now.